Friendship Bracelets

★★★★★★★★★★

Make these fun and trendy bracelets with colorful floss and Perler Beads. Wear several at once, share and trade them with your friends—once you get started, you just can’t stop! All are variations of braiding and a basic macramé knot. Designed By Karen Benvenuti.

Step: 1

See the Supply List for beads and tools you can purchase here. You will also need:

Embroidery floss in coordinating colors

Tape

Step: 2

For any of the bracelets, start by cutting 6 pieces of floss, each about 2 yards long. If you braid, you will need less. Gather your 6 ends together and tie a knot about 2 inches from one end. Tape the short end above the knot to a table top or counter.

Step: 3

Braided Bracelet: Divide the strands into three groups of 2 strands each, spreading the three groups apart. To braid, cross the left group over the middle group, then cross the right group over the middle group. Repeat, keeping the groups tight as you cross them. Braid about 3 inches and tie all strands together in a knot.

String on some beads as follows: divide the strands into 2 groups and string one bead onto each group. Now divide the strands into three groups and string one bead onto each group. Lastly, divide the strands into 2 groups again and string one bead onto each group. That completes the pattern. Tie all strands together in a knot. Repeat the pattern and finishing knot 2 more times. Finish by braiding another 3 inches and knotting all strands together. Trim strands 2 inches away from the knot.

Step: 4

Macrame Bracelets: The knot we used is a simple square knot repeated over and over. Divide the strands into 2 groups. A square knot is made by putting the right side over the left and through the loop, then putting the left side over the right and through the loop. Right over left, left over right.

Step: 5

For the first macramé bracelet, tie square knots until you have 2 inches. Divide the strands into 3 groups. String a bead onto the middle group. Tie a square knot with all strands. Repeat with another bead and square knot until you have 12 beads on the bracelet. Tie 2 inches more of square knots, then tie all strands together in a knot. Trim strands 2 inches away from the knot.

Step: 6

For the second macramé bracelet, start with 2 inches of square knots. Divide the strands into 2 groups. String three beads onto each group. Bring all strands together and tie one square knot. Repeat the above with just one bead on each side and finish with a square knot. That completes the pattern. Repeat the pattern until you have a total of 4 sets of 6 beads and 3 sets of 2 beads. Finish with 2 inches more of square knots, then tie all strands together in a knot. Trim strands 2 inches away from the knot.